Central Futbol Club

Teenaged forward Nicholas Dillon grabbed his first goal of the season with a second half strike last night (Tuesday) at the Mahaica Oval to earn defending champions Central FC a marginal 1-0 win over Club Sando in Round One Match Day Three Digicel Pro League (DPL) 2015-16.

The 18-year-old Dillon, who recently returned to Trinidad following a three-week trial at U.S. club Portland Timbers, scored in the 65th minute to give Central the match-winning item over the side they defeated five days ago, 4-0 in the semi-final round of the First Citizens Cup (FCC) 2015.

Despite the slim margin, it also meant a nine-game undefeated streak – in all competitions – for coach Ross Russell’s players ahead of Friday’s FCC final clash against Couva-rivals W Connection from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Connection, last season’s DPL runners-up, were also in action at the Mahaica Oval last night but had to settle for a goalless draw against home side Point Fortin Civic in the second match of the venue’s double header.

Connection (3 points) are unbeaten in their last five games, in all competitions, but occupy sixth position on the league table after three draws in as many matches, while Civic (4 points) are fifth.

Central leads the table but only ahead of North East Stars (7 points) on a slim goal-difference, while Police FC and Defence Force, both with 5 points, are third and fourth respectively, following wins last night.

In the lone match contested at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Jomoul Francois scored a late winner to give North East Stars a 2-1 win over visiting St. Ann’s Rangers to take temporary lead.

Rangers, coached this season by former Stars’ coach Angus Eve, had equalised in the 75th minute through Kadeem Hutchinson after Neveal Hackshaw put the home side ahead in the 39th minute.

But Francois’ strike in the 86th minute snatched victory for North East Stars and their new coach this season, Roland Clarke.

In the day’s other games, hosted at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Police FC defeated Morvant Caledonia United 2-1 before Defence Force edged San Juan Jabloteh 1-0.

Police took the lead through Kareem Freitas, the forward netting his third league goal this season in the 16th minute.

However seconds before the stroke of half-time, MCU’s Guyanese international Sheldon Holder rifled the ball into the roof of goalkeeper Adrian Foncette’s net to tie the scores 1-1.

Police, who were denied numerous times by MCU goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, finally had the ball in the back of the Trinidad and Tobago shot-stopper’s net again in the 76th minute for the 2-1 win.

Forward Keon Wilson, who five minutes earlier replaced Jameel Perry, had picked MCU captain and wingback Kareem Joseph on the left before sending a perfect strike into Phillip’s far netting.

The Lawmen were unlucky not to score again five minutes from time when an effort from Christon Thomas rattled the crossbar.

And in keenly contested clash between Defence Force and Jabloteh, a 31st minute goal by Ross Russell Jr. gave Army their first league win this season after two opening draws.

Russell Jr. was at the right place at the right time to direct an Aklie Edwards effort into goalkeeper Raheem Belgrave’s net following a low corner into the area by Kerry Joseph.

Jabloteh had themselves to blame after wasting on two excellent scoring opportunities before the interval.

Nathan Lewis had goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke at his mercy in the 36th minute but the talented midfielder opted to square a pass in search of an oncoming Kennedy Hinkson, who failed to connect.

Lewis later won his side a penalty in the 45th minute after he was brought down by Clarke, however the Defence Force goalie redeemed himself with a superb diving save on his left to deny midfielder Keyon Edwards from the penalty spot.

Defence Force thought they too had won a penalty in the 64th minute when substitute Richard Roy was brought down at the edge of the six yard area in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Belgrave, however referee Crystal Sobers wasn’t convinced.

Instead, Defence Force had to settle for the three points by way of the slim 1-0 win in the end.